In Shrewsbury, ‘fragile’ schools request 8.9% hike

Town Manager Daniel J. Morgado is recommending a $99,931,537 operational budget for fiscal 2014, which is 1.75 percent more than the current budget.

Of the recommended budget, $49,711,847 is for general government, and $50,219,690 is for schools. The School Committee is requesting a budget of $54,279,004, which is $4.4 million, or 8.85 percent more than the current budget.

Mr. Morgado said his recommendations are based on current information, which will evolve over the next three months leading up to the annual town meeting, which begins May 20. He said he expects the $4 million budget gap in the school budget will decrease. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

There are no real highlights in the proposed budget or announcements at this time, he said in an email Tuesday.

“It is very much status quo reflective of the economic situation that we currently operate within,” Mr. Morgado said.

In a budget message that he presented to the School Committee Jan. 23, School Superintendent Joseph M. Sawyer said the schools are in a “fragile state.”

“The difficult reality is that our current resources are not able to keep up with demand, which is jeopardizing our ability to deliver the quality of education that our students deserve and that our community expects.”

He said the reduction of resources, increased class sizes and other budgetary challenges have taken a toll on staff. Morale is at its lowest point during his 15 years in Shrewsbury, he said.

In his executive summary to the School Committee on Jan. 23, Mr. Sawyer said the proposed budget represents what would be necessary to maintain the current educational program; improve class sizes so more meet guidelines; restore some of the administration positions that were put on hiatus; increase the capacity to respond to students’ behavioral, social, emotional and mental health needs; meet state mandates; advance the district’s strategic priorities for the instructional program, including increased use of educational technology; and improve the safety and security of schools.

The proposal also includes the addition of 45.5 full-time positions. Of those positions, 21.5 are classroom teachers, four administrators, 6.4 special education professionals, nine special education paraprofessionals, one in technology support, and 3.6 part-time entrance monitors/receptionists.

Mr. Sawyer said that based on direction from the School Committee, the proposed budget tries to relay to the community what is needed to maintain the program, deal with key needs and begin recovering from cuts sustained in recent years. He did note that it is unlikely the town can afford to meet the budget request.